Display operation device allocating a plurality of functions to a key, image processing apparatus, and method of receiving user operations

ABSTRACT

A display operation device has a display-integrated operation panel with a display screen, on which a monochrome copy start key and a color copy start key are displayed. When black-toner-out or color-toner-out occurs, on the monochrome copy start key and the color copy start key, another UI component such as black-toner-out key and color-toner-out key is displayed. Such a UI component is displayed at the display position of the monochrome copy start key and the color copy start key, being superposed on these keys.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This nonprovisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a)on Patent Application No, 2010-164731 filed in Japan on Jul. 22, 2010,the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a display operation device for givingan instruction to electronic equipment and, more specifically, to adisplay device receiving a user instruction using a user interface (UI)component such as a software key as a trigger of some process, as wellas to an image processing apparatus having such a display operationdevice.

2. Description of the Background Art

As one type of image processing apparatuses as electronic equipment,image forming apparatuses (typically, copy machines) are introduced tomany places of business (companies and offices). A main function of animage forming apparatus is to form an image on a sheet of recordingpaper. Therefore, it is often the case that the image forming apparatushas a printer function, a copy function and the like. The image formingapparatuses are often connected to a network, to allow use by aplurality of users. A multifunction peripheral (MFP) has been known asone type of such image forming apparatuses. An MFP has a scannerfunction, and has a plurality of basic operational modes such as a copymode, a facsimile mode (hereinafter “facsimile” may also be denoted asFAX), and a network-supported printer mode. It is expected that thescanner function will be used more frequently in the future in suchimage forming apparatuses. In the copy mode and facsimile mode also, itis possible to read an image using the scanner function and to setfunctions such as duplex (two-sided) printing, collective printing (suchas 2-in-1 by which two pages of an original document are printed on onesheet, or 4-in-1 by which four pages of an original document are printedon one sheet), and enlargement or reduction of size.

When using such an image forming apparatus, by way of example, the usermakes the following operations. First, the user has image data read bythe image forming apparatus in the scanner mode. Thereafter, the userinputs various instructions through an operation panel, and performsimage processing (such as collection). Then, the user gives aninstruction to start a final processing of the image (printing to asheet of paper, transmission by facsimile, and saving as a file). Ascreen image allowing setting of functions in various operational modes,for example, is displayed on the operation panel. Therefore, it ispossible for the user to easily set various functions.

Recently, a touch-panel display comes to be increasingly used as such anoperation panel. A touch-panel display includes a liquid crystal panel(display panel) and a touch-panel stacked on the liquid crystal panel.Typically, items (software keys) allowing selection of an operationalmode of the image forming apparatus are displayed on the touch-paneldisplay. Viewing the display, the user presses a position where adesired item is displayed, on the touch-panel display. For the user, itseems as if he/she has pressed a software key. Information related towhich position has been pressed is transmitted to a computer controllingthe image forming apparatus, and what operation is to be carried out isdetermined in accordance with the position, by a program running on thecomputer.

The touch-panel display provides both the display function and theoperation function. It is advantageous in that it occupies a smallerarea for installation than a display unit and an operation unit providedseparately, it allows various and many manners of display, and itprovides various and many functions.

By way of example, when an MFP having a touch-panel display as such asan operation panel is in the copy mode, a copy start key (button) isdisplayed on the display as an initial screen image. If the copy startkey is pressed, using this as a trigger, the MFP automatically reads adocument placed on an automatic document reader and forms a copy on asheet of recording paper.

After the start of copying, it may be desired to stop copying by somereason. For this purpose, it is a general practice to display a copystop key together with the copy start key, so that copying can bystopped by pressing the copy stop key once the copying operation isstarted. However, displaying the copy stop key together with the copystart key hinders efficient use of the area of touch-panel display.Considering the fact that MFPs come to have various and many functions,many pieces of information must be displayed on the display, and suchpieces of information must be displayed in an easily viewable and easilyunderstandable manner. Therefore, the area of touch-panel display shouldnot be wasted.

In order to solve such a problem, Japanese Utility Model Laying-OpenApplication No. 59-58457 (hereinafter referred to as '457 Reference),which will be described later, discloses a technique of using one switchboth as a copy start switch and a copy stop switch. Specifically, '457Reference discloses a technique in which during a copy operation, thecopy start key is used as a copy stop key. In the device disclosed inthis reference, either one of two character strings “START” and “STOP”lights up on a hardware key. The character string corresponding to theusable function lights up on the key.

On the other hand, in the MFP, various problems may occur in connectionwith so-called supplies, including paper-out, toner-out and paper jam.Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 59-140463 (hereinafter referred to as'463 Reference) discloses a copy function operation device, in which aplurality of icons representing the state of copying machine (such aspaper-out, toner-out and paper jam) at the time of copying, on a copystart button for starting copying.

The technique described in '457 Reference and the technique described in'463 Reference are based on similar ideas of allocating differentfunctions to one key or button and switching the functions to be used.These are good techniques that allow advantageous use of the displayarea.

These techniques, however, still have room for improvement, inconnection with the MFP using a touch-panel as described above as anoperating device. It is often the case that keys for instructingexecution of various and many functions are displayed on thetouch-panel. In such an MFP, introduction of the technique disclosed in'457 and '463 References may lead to the following problem,Specifically, in such an MFP, execution instruction key is provided foreach of the plurality of functions. Then, combination of a positionwhere a key instructing execution of a function is displayed and aposition where a key for executing a process related to the key aredisplayed, or a position where a piece of information related to the keyis displayed becomes complicated. Consequently, if problems occur, itcould be difficult for the user to respond quickly to solve the problem,

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a display operation device havinga function of a touch-panel or the like, allowing, in relation tovarious and many functions, easy and immediate recognition of a problemrelated to any of the functions or of a process necessary for executingthe function, as well as to provide an image processing apparatus havingsuch a display operation device.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a displayoperation device, including: a display-integrated operation panel havinga display screen; a first UI component display device displaying a firstuser interface (UI) component image on the display screen; a processactivating device, responsive to a user operation of the first UIcomponent displayed on the display screen by the first UI componentdisplay device, for activating a process associated with the first UIcomponent; and a second UI component display device, responsive tooccurrence of a predetermined condition related to the process activatedin association with the first UI component by the process activatingdevice, for displaying a second UI component on the display screen. Thesecond UI component is displayed at a position of display of the firstUI component, to cover the first UI component.

When execution of a certain process starts in response to an operationof the first UI component and a condition related to the process occurs,the second UI component is displayed at the display position of thefirst UI component, to be superposed on the first UI component. Thesecond UI component is easily viewable to the user, even if the userdoes not change his/her point of view. Therefore, viewing the second UIcomponent, the user can immediately execute a process to cope with thecondition that has occurred or recognize the condition. It becomeseasier for the user to grasp situations surrounding the process relatedto the first UI component, and operability is improved.

As a result, a display operation device allowing, in relation to variousand many functions, easy and immediate recognition of a problem relatedto any of the functions or of a process necessary for executing thefunction can be provided.

Preferably, the second UI component display device includes a deviceresponsive to activation of a process associated with the first UIcomponent by the process activating device, for displaying the second UIcomponent at the position of the first UI component on the displayscreen. The operation display device further includes stopping device,responsive to a user operation of the second UI component, for stoppingexecution of the process activated by the process activating device.

By operating the second UI component, it is possible to stop the processstarted by the operation of the first UI component. Since the second UIcomponent is displayed at the same position as the first UI component,if it becomes necessary to stop the process started by the operation ofthe first UI component by some reason, the process can immediately bestopped by operating the second UI component.

More preferably, the second UI component display device includes adisabling device, detecting occurrence of an event hindering the processto be activated by the process activating device, for displaying thesecond UI component at the same position as the first UI component, tobe superposed on the first UI component, and thereby for disabling useroperation of the first UI component.

If any event that will hinder the process activated by the processactivating device occurs, the second UI component is displayed at thesame position as the first UI component and, therefore, it is possiblefor the user to easily understand the occurrence of hindrance and tocope with it. Since operation of the first UI component is disabled, anyproblem caused by the hindrance can be prevented.

More preferably, the display operation device is mounted on an imageprocessing apparatus involving toner use. The first UI component is adevice for displaying an image formation start key for activating aprocess for forming an image using the toner. The disabling deviceincludes a toner-out detecting device detecting shortage of toner to beused for image formation by the image forming apparatus, and areplenishment message display device, responsive to detection oftoner-out by the toner-out detecting device, for displaying a messageasking replenishment of toner, as the second UI component.

When toner-out is detected at the time of image formation using toner, amessage asking toner replenishment is displayed as the second UIcomponent. Since the toner can be replenished before starting imageformation, smooth operation becomes possible.

The toner-out detecting device may include a device for separatelydetecting black-toner-out and color-toner-out. The replenishment messagedisplay device may include a toner-by-toner message display device,responsive to detection of one of or both of black-toner-out andcolor-toner-out by the toner-out detecting device, for displaying amessage asking replenishment of black toner, replenishment of colortoner or replenishment of black toner and color toner, as the second UIcomponent.

By the second UI component, whether black or color toner is to bereplenished is displayed. Therefore, smooth operation becomes possible.

Preferably, the first UI component includes a first key instructingstart of image formation using black toner, and a second key instructingstart of image formation using color toner. The toner-by-toner messagedisplay device displays a key including the message asking replenishmentof toner, on the first key if black-toner-out is detected and on thesecond key if color-toner-out is detected.

By the second UI component, whether black or color toner is to bereplenished is displayed. Further, if the black toner is in short supplywhile the color toner is available, it is possible to instruct start ofimage formation using the color toner. The user can easily understandthat without black toner, image formation only by the color toner ispossible and, hence, the user can make an appropriate operation.

More preferably, the display operation device is mounted on an imageprocessing apparatus involving use of a recording medium. The first UIcomponent display device is a device for displaying an image formationstart key for activating a process for image formation on the recordingmedium. The disabling device includes a trouble detecting devicedetecting a trouble occurring in relation to supply of the recordingmedium of the image processing apparatus, and a trouble-solution messagedisplay device, responsive to detection of a trouble by the troubledetecting device, for displaying a message asking a solution to theproblem, as the second UI component.

If any trouble related to the recording medium occurs, a message askinga solution to the trouble is displayed as the second UI component, atthe position of the first UI component. It is possible for the user toeasily understand the occurrence of hindrance and to cope with it.

The display operation device may be mounted on an image processingapparatus transmitting image data through a communication device. Thefirst UI component display device is a device for displaying an imagetransmission start button for activating a process for transmitting animage to a designated destination. The disabling device includes atrouble detecting device for detecting failure of designating anappropriate destination when an image is to be transmitted by the imageprocessing apparatus, and a destination input message display device,responsive to detection of a trouble by the trouble detecting device,for displaying a message asking input of an appropriate destination ofthe image, as the second UI component, superposed on the imagetransmission start key.

If an appropriate destination is not input as the transmissiondestination, a message asking input of the destination is displayed asthe second UI component, superposed on the image transmission start key.Before transmitting the image, the destination can be input without failand, therefore, failure of image transmission can reliably be prevented.

More preferably, the second UI component is displayed in a transparentmanner to allow recognition of a key displayed on a lower layer of thesecond UI component.

The first UI component displayed on the lower layer can be seen throughthe second UI component. The user can easily understand what type ofproblem occurred in connection with what type of process and, therefore,he/she can appropriately cope with the problem.

The display operation device may further include a disabling device,detecting occurrence of an event hindering the process to be activatedby the process activating device, for displaying a third UI component atthe same position as the first UI component, to be superposed on thefirst UI component, and thereby for disabling user operation of thefirst UI component. Here, the second UI component is displayed in afirst color, and the third UI component is displayed in a second colordifferent from the first color.

The second UI component is displayed in the first display color, and thethird UI component is displayed in the second display color. Therefore,the user can easily understand whether the UI component displayed on thefirst UI component is the second or third UI component and, hence,he/she can follow an appropriate process.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides an imageprocessing apparatus, including: any of the above-described displayoperation device; an image forming device forming image data; and animage processing unit, connected to the display operation device and theimage forming device, for processing the image data formed by the imageforming device, based on an output instruction from the displayoperation device.

As described above, according to the present invention, when executionof a process starts in response to an operation of the first UIcomponent and a condition related to the process occurs, the second UIcomponent is displayed. The second UI component is displayed at thedisplay position of the first UI component, to be superposed on thefirst UI component. The second UI component is easily viewable to theuser, even if the user does not change his/her point of view. Therefore,the user can immediately execute a process to cope with the conditionthat has occurred or recognize the condition. For the user, it becomeseasier to grasp the situation of the process related to the first UIcomponent, and operability is also improved.

According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a method ofreceiving a user operation using a display-integrated operation panelhaving a display screen. The method includes the steps of displaying animage of a first UI component on the display screen; activating, inresponse to a user operation of the first UI component displayed on thedisplay screen at the step of displaying the image of the first UIcomponent, a process associated with the first UI component; anddisplaying, in response to occurrence of a predetermined conditionrelated to the process activated at the step of activating a process, asecond UI component on the display screen. The second UI component isdisplayed at a display position of the first UI component to cover thefirst UI component.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of thepresent invention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the present invention when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the image formingapparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 schematically shows an internal configuration of the imageforming apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the imageforming apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a display of the image forming apparatusshown in FIGS. 1.

FIG. 5 shows an initial screen image in the copy mode, of a previewdisplay of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 6 shows display transitions of a task trigger area, when paper-outis detected in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart representing a control structure of a programrealizing the display of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows display transitions of a task trigger area, when toner-outis detected in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart representing a control structure of a programrealizing the display of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows display transitions of a task trigger area, when adocument reading process is executed in the image forming apparatusshown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show a flowchart representing a program realizing thedisplay transition of the task trigger area shown in FIG. 10, in theimage forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 shows display transitions of a task trigger area, when a copyprocess is executed in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a program for the copy process, realizing thedisplay transition of the task trigger area shown in FIG. 13, in theimage forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 shows display transitions of a task trigger area, when afacsimile transmission process is executed in the image formingapparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a program for the facsimile transmissionprocess, realizing the display transition of the task trigger area shownin FIG. 15, in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, the same components are denoted by thesame reference characters. Their names and functions are also the same.Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the display operation deviceis used in combination with an image forming apparatus as one type ofimage processing apparatuses. It is noted, however, that application ofthe display operation device in accordance with the present invention isnot limited to the image forming apparatus. The present invention isapplicable to other apparatuses, such as an image processing apparatus,or to any electronic device that gives instructions of operation using ascreen image.

In the following description, a software key is described as an exampleof the UI component. The present invention, however, is not limited tosuch an embodiment. The present invention is applicable to any UIcomponent that can function as a trigger for activating or stopping anyprocess in response to an operation.

An image forming apparatus 100 (see FIG. 1) described in the followinghas a touch-panel (hereinafter simply referred to as a “touch-panel”) asthe display operation device.

The image forming apparatus forms an image on a sheet of recording paperby electro-photography. The image forming apparatus includes, asoperational modes, copy mode, FAX mode, document filing mode (a mode inwhich a read image is stored in a storage device in the image formingapparatus) and mail mode (a mode in which a read image is transmittedattached to an electronic mail). The image forming apparatus 100 mayfurther include network printer mode. The present invention is notlimited to the above, and it may be any image forming apparatusincluding at least one of the four operational modes, that is, copymode, FAX mode, document filing mode and mail mode, which requires, inat least one of the operational modes, an operation of pressing a keydisplayed on the touch-panel as a trigger of a task. The printing methodis not limited to electro-photography.

[Configuration]

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, an image forming apparatus 100 in accordancewith the present embodiment will be described.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, image forming apparatus 100 includes adocument reading unit 102, an image forming unit 104, a paper feed unit106, a paper discharge unit 108 and an operation unit 120. Operationunit 120 includes a touch-panel display 130 (hereinafter simply referredto as “display 130”) and a display operation unit 140. Display 130includes a display panel 132 formed of a liquid crystal panel or thelike, and a touch-panel 134 arranged on display panel 132. Touch-panel134 detects that a user's finger is touching its surface and alsodetects the touched position. Display operation unit 140 includes apilot lamp 142, a power key 144, an energy-saving key 146, and a homekey 148 for returning the display screen image on display 130 to a homescreen image. The home screen image is a screen image allowing the userto select various operational modes.

Referring to FIG. 4, in addition to display panel 132 and touch-panel134, display 130 more specifically includes: a UI control device 180,implemented by an embedded computer, connected to a bus 310 andexecuting a prescribed display control program to realize displaytransitions of various keys as will be described later; a UI informationstorage device 182, connected to UI control device 180 and bus 310, forstoring information related to various objects necessary for screenimage display; and a display image generating device 184 connected to UIcontrol device 180 and UI information storage device 182 for generatingdisplay images of various objects on the screen image to be displayed ondisplay panel 132. Display 130 further includes: a display controldevice 186 connected to UI control device 180, display panel 132 anddisplay image generating device 184 for controlling display panel 132such that the display image generated by display image generating device184 is displayed; and an operation detecting device 188 connected totouch-panel 134 and UI control device 180, for detecting the usertouching touch-panel 134, outputting coordinates of the touched positionand applying the output to UI control device 180. Based on the positioncoordinate information and the information related to the displayedimage, UI control device 180 detects which key is operated by the userand what trajectory is drawn by the user's finger, and by interpretingthese pieces of information, outputs the result to a CPU 300 in imageforming apparatus 100 through bus 310.

Image forming apparatus 100 in accordance with the present embodiment isprovided with display 130 as a main operation device, and, in addition,with display operation unit 140 including hardware keys and a pilotlamp. The keys (power key 144, energy-saving key 146 and home key 148)of display operation unit 140 are hardware keys, different from thesoftware keys realized by display 130.

The present embodiment is characterized in that after an operation isinstructed by a key displayed at the time of executing a task such asdocument reading, facsimile transmission of the document and copying, akey is displayed at the same position and in substantially the samemanner of display (color, shape, configuration (mark or the like),design etc.) for giving an instruction (interruption, termination,continuation or the like) related to the process of which operation hasbeen instructed. Here, whether or not the colors are similar may bedetermined in the following manner. By way of example, if a distancebetween vectors representing colors represented in RGB components (givenas vectors of three components) is within 5% from the maximum distancebetween the vectors, the colors may be determined as analogous colors.

Such a process is executed in any of the copy mode, mail mode, FAX modeand the document filing mode.

In the following, first, the configuration of image forming apparatus100 will be briefly described mainly with reference to the copy mode.Thereafter, the display transition at the time of document reading, inthe facsimile mode and the copy mode will be described.

In the copy mode, mainly document reading unit 102 and image formingunit 104 operate.

In image forming apparatus 100, a document placed on a platen is read bydocument reading unit 102 as image data. The image data is subjected tovarious image processing operations, and the resulting image data isoutput to image forming unit 104.

Image forming unit 104 is for printing an image of the documentrepresented by the image data on a recording medium (in most cases, on asheet of recording paper). Image forming unit 104 includes aphotoreceptor drum 222, a charger 224, a laser scanning unit(hereinafter denoted as LSU) 226, a developer 228, a transfer device230, a cleaning device 232, a fixing device 234 and a neutralizer, notshown.

In image forming unit 104, a main feeding path 236 and a reverse feedingpath 238 are provided, and a sheet of recording paper fed from paperfeed unit 106 is fed along main feeding path 236. Paper feed unit 106draws out sheets of recording paper stacked on a paper cassette 240 oron a manual feed tray 242 one by one, and feeds the sheet of paper tomain feeding path 236 of image forming unit 104.

While the sheet of recording paper is fed along main feeding path 236 ofimage forming unit 104, the sheet passes between photoreceptor drum 222and transfer device 230, and further passes through fixing device 234,whereby printing is done on the sheet of recording paper.

Photoreceptor drum 222 rotates in one direction, and its surface iscleaned by cleaning device 232 and the neutralizer and, thereafter,uniformly charged by charger 224.

LSU 226 modulates the laser beam based on the image data to be printed,and repeatedly scans the surface of photoreceptor drum 222 with themodulated laser beam in a main scanning direction, whereby anelectrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of photoreceptordrum 222.

Developer 228 develops the electrostatic latent image by supplying tonerto the surface of photoreceptor drum 222, and thus, a toner image isformed on the surface of photoreceptor drum 222.

Transfer device 230 transfers the toner image on the surface ofphotoreceptor drum 222 to the sheet of recording paper passing betweentransfer device 230 and the photoreceptor drum 222.

Fixing device 234 includes a heating roller 248 for heating the sheet ofrecording paper and a pressure roller 250 for pressing the sheet ofrecording paper. As the sheet of recording paper is heated by heatingroller 248 and pressed by pressure roller 250, the toner image that hasbeen transferred to the sheet of recording paper is fixed on the sheet.A heater is heated by electric power supplied to fixing device 234 andcontrolled such that temperature of heating roller 248 attains to anappropriate temperature for fixing. When operational mode is changed tothe energy saving mode, power supply to the heater is, for example,stopped or reduced.

At a position of connection between main feeding path 236 and reversefeeding path 238, a separation pawl 244 is arranged. When printing isdone only on one side of the sheet of recording paper, separation pawl244 is so positioned that the sheet of recording paper fed from fixingdevice 234 is guided to paper discharge tray 246 or a paper dischargeunit 108.

When printing is done on both sides of the sheet of recording paper,separation pawl 244 is turned to a prescribed direction, so that thesheet of recording paper is guided to reverse feeding path 238. Thesheet of recording paper passes through reverse feeding path 238, turnedupside-down and again fed to main feeding path 236, and while it isagain fed along main feeding path 236, printing is done on its rearsurface, and thereafter the sheet is guided to paper discharge tray 246or to paper discharge unit 108.

The sheet of recording paper printed in the above-described manner isguided to paper discharge tray 246 or to paper discharge unit 108, anddischarged to paper discharge tray 246 or to any of paper dischargetrays 110 of paper discharge unit 108.

Paper discharge unit 108 may perform a process of sorting a plurality ofprinted sheets of paper to be output to different discharge trays 110, aprocess of punching each sheet of recording paper or a process ofstapling the sheets of recording paper. Assume that a number of copiesof the printing are to be prepared. In that case, sheets of recordingpaper are sorted and discharged to paper discharge trays 110 such thateach tray 110 contains each set of printed sheets, and the set ofprinted sheets in each tray 110 is stapled or punched.

For each of the black toner and the color toner, a sensor for detectingtoner-out is provided. Further, a paper sensor detecting absence of anypaper on paper cassette 240, and various sensors necessary for detectingoccurrence of a paper jam on the paper feed path are provided on mainfeeding path 236 and reverse feeding path 238.

Referring to Fig, 3, image forming apparatus 100 further includes:operation unit 120 allowing setting of functions related to the copymode, facsimile mode, document filing mode and mail mode; ROM (Read OnlyMemory) 306 for storing programs and the like; a hard disk drive(hereinafter denoted as HDD) 302 as a non-volatile storage area capableof storing programs and data even when power is cut off and an RAM(Random Access Memory) 308 providing a storage area when a program isexecuted.

Image forming apparatus 100 further includes a bus 310 connected todocument reading unit 102, image forming unit 104, FAX communicationunit 160, operation unit 120, ROM 306, HDD 302, and RAM 308, and CPU(Central Processing Unit) 300 connected to bus 310, realizing generalfunctions as the image forming apparatus.

HDD 302 stores files of image data of documents read by image formingapparatus 100, folder by folder, together with date and time of savingand name of the user who saved.

ROM 306 stores programs and data necessary for controlling operations ofimage forming apparatus 100. CPU 300 controls image forming apparatus100 in accordance with the programs and data stored in ROM 306, andexecutes control related to various functions of image forming apparatus100.

As shown in FIG. 3, a public line is connected fortransmitting/receiving image data, to FAX communication unit 160. Tonetwork interface 304, a network line is connected. To the network line,a computer or the like using image forming apparatus 100 as anetwork-supported printer may be connected, or a computer or the likeidentified by a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) designated through theInternet may be connected. When connected to the Internet, image formingapparatus 100 can obtain necessary information through the Internet.

RAM 308 provides a function of a working memory for temporarily storingresults of operations and processes by CPU 300, and a function of aframe memory for storing image data.

CPU 300 controls document reading unit 102, image forming unit 104,display 130 and display operation unit 140 forming operation unit 120,ROM 306, HDD 302 and RAM 308 by executing a prescribed program orprograms. Operation unit 120 communicates with CPU 300 through aninput/output interface.

Operation unit 120 is formed of a plate-shaped panel provided in aninclined manner to be easily viewable by the user. On a surface ofoperation unit 120, display 130 is provided on the left side area, anddisplay operation unit 140 (pilot lamp 142 and power key 144,energy-saving key 146 and home key 148 as hardware keys) is provided onthe right side area. Display 130 and display operation unit 140 formoperation unit 120 as one integrated body as a whole.

As described above, display 130 is formed of display panel 132 andtouch-panel 134 arranged on display panel 132. On display panel 132 ofdisplay 130, a home screen image allowing selection of an operationalmode of image forming apparatus 100, current state of image formingapparatus 100, status of destination designation, and status of jobprocessing are displayed. On a display area of display panel 132,selection keys as software keys are displayed, When a portion where theselection key is displayed is pressed by a finger, touch-panel 134detects the pressed position and outputs information indicating theposition. By comparing the display position of the selection key and theposition where the touch-panel 134 is pressed using a program, selectionof an operational mode, setting of a function, and instruction of anoperation of image forming apparatus 100 become possible. In addition tosuch a touch operation (command input operation based on the position ofpressing by the user), image forming apparatus 100 also allows gestureoperation (command input operation based on trajectory of operation bythe user) as described above.

Pilot lamp 142 of display operation unit 140 is, for example, an LED(Light Emitting Diode). It is turned on/off (/flickered) under thecontrol of CPU 300. When the user presses power key 144 providedseparate from a main power switch, image forming apparatus 100 makes atransition from a standby mode (in which, for example, only the FAXreceiving operation is possible with the main power on) to a normalmode, and pilot lamp 142 is turned and kept on. If a predetermined timepasses without any user operation, or if the user presses energy-savingkey 146, image forming apparatus 100 makes a transition from the normalmode to the energy saving mode, and pilot lamp 142 flickers. Further, ifthe user presses energy-saving key 146 in the energy saving mode, theimage forming apparatus 100 makes a transition from the energy savingmode to the normal mode. Home key 148 is a hardware key for returningthe display of display 130 to the initial state (home screen image).

Image forming apparatus 100 in accordance with the present embodimentincludes the four operational modes (copy mode, facsimile mode, documentfiling mode and mail mode) as described above. On display 130, softwarekeys for setting functions in respective operational modes aredisplayed, and keys for setting a destination or a preview as anexpected image, for example, are displayed as needed.

On memo display area 354, a piece of maintenance information or the liketo be notified to every user of image forming apparatus 100 isdisplayed.

[Layout of Copy Basic Screen Image]

FIG. 5 shows a basic layout in the copy mode operation (referred to as a“copy basic screen image”) 510 on display 130. The copy basic screenimage 510 is first displayed when the copy mode is selected. Onecharacteristic of the present embodiment is that, basically, preview ispossible in all screen images including the copy basic screen image.Similar image preview can be selected at the time of facsimiletransmission, image transmission by mail or image filing. In any ofthese operational modes, basic screen image configuration related topreview display is the same. Therefore, in the following, only the copybasic screen image will be described.

Referring to FIG. 5, let us consider display 130 of landscape layout(for example, width of 1024 pixels×length of 600 pixels). System area400 is arranged at the uppermost portion, and preview area 480 isarranged at the center, of the screen image. On the left side of previewarea 480, function selecting area 410 for setting a function andconfirming the contents of function is arranged. On the upper right sideof preview area 480, an area referred to as an action panel area (hereinafter referred to as “action panel area 482”) is arranged. On a lowerright side of preview area 480, task trigger area 484 is arranged. Theseareas have their sizes changed in accordance with the preview displaymodes, as will be described later.

On system area 400, the current state of image forming apparatus 100 isdisplayed and, in addition, the title of operational mode that is beingoperated and status/state of image forming apparatus 100 are displayed.By way of example, on system area 400, an operational mode name, aninterruption key, a log-in user name, status of a currently processedjob, state of use of an internal memory, time and the like aredisplayed.

On function selecting area 410, a function selection menu (icons, keys,setting items screen image, and a function list screen image) to beoperated by the user for setting each function, switching display andconfirming setting, is displayed. These are for setting conditions ofdata conversion and conditions at the time of executing a task, on theimage data of the document. On function selecting area 410, a group offunctional icons 512 and a group of texts 514 describing the function ofeach functional icon are displayed.

In preview area 480, an image of expected document output (finishedform) is displayed. Every time the user designates the manner of finish,the image displayed on preview area 480 changes. At the time of reading,the read document image is displayed.

Preview area 480 includes a group of preview change keys at a lowerportion, for changing display style of preview area 480. The group ofpreview change keys includes: a rotation key for rotating the preview bya desired angle; a zoom bar for enlarging/reducing the preview image; adocument display mode key 452 instructing change to a document displaymode, as will be described later; a finish preview key 454 instructing achange to a finish preview screen image; and a fit-to-screen key 456instructing a change to the fit-to-screen mode. At an upper rightportion of preview area 480, an image edition key 468 is arranged, forinstructing a change to an image edition mode allowing edition ofdocuments.

If the number of pages of document images to be displayed on previewarea 480 is large, a page selection key (page number input key, pagefeed key, page return key, single page display key, plural page displaykey and the like), not shown, is displayed. When the document imagedisplayed on preview area 480 is flicked, the document page can be fedforward or backward. If the document image displayed on preview area 480is large, a scroll bar that can be touch-operated or gesture-operated isdisplayed.

On action panel area 482, pieces of information related to assistance,guidance and suggestion related to the operation are displayed. If, forinstance, a user selects a specific function, on action panel area 482,functions related to the selected function may be displayed. Otherfunctions related to the same object of the selected function may bedisplayed. Further, functions selected in the past by the user or a userof a group to which the user belongs in relation to the selectedfunction may be displayed as “recommended functions.”

On the left side of action panel area 482, an action panel reducing key486 is displayed, which is operated by the user when action panel area482 is to be displayed in reduced size. When action panel reducing key486 is pressed, action panel area 482 is reduced in size and displayedin the form of keys on the right side of the screen image. When the keyis pressed, action panel area 482 is again displayed in the enlargedsize. Specifically, the user can reduce or enlarge the action panel area482 by pressing the key. Accordingly, the preview area 480 is enlargedor reduced. Confirmation of preview image and confirmation of operationhints can be done easily in accordance with the user's intention.

In task trigger area 484, items (software keys as one type of UIcomponents) as triggers for starting certain processes of image formingapparatus 100 are displayed. These items are displayed when all settingsare completed in a certain operational mode and image forming apparatus100 is ready to operate actually. By way of example, on task triggerarea 484, a read start key, a monochrome copy start key, a color copystart key and a clear-all key (CA) are displayed. The read start key isa key for starting a process for once reading a document and providing apreview in copying or FAX transmission. The monochrome copy start key isa key for starting a process for reading a document and immediatelyforming a monochrome image thereof on a sheet of recording paper, or forstarting the process of forming a monochrome image on a sheet ofrecording paper based on once read image. The color copy start key issimilarly a key for starting the process of immediately forming a colorimage of the document, or for starting the process of forming a colorimage on a sheet of recording paper based on once read image. Theclear-all key is a key for clearing all pieces of input information.When the clear-all key is pressed at the time of document reading, alldocuments that have been read are cleared, and the screen image returnsto the copy initial screen image.

In the present embodiment, when any of the keys for starting varioustypes of processes (UI components as various keys on task trigger area484) is pressed, a key, such as a cancel key or a stop key (another UIcomponent) instructing a different process related to the process isdisplayed superposed on the pressed key. Here, the manner of display ofthe keys displayed at the same position (color, shape, configuration(mark or the like), design etc.) is set to be substantially the same.

The key display in accordance with the present embodiment is realized onvarious aspects. In the following, the manner of display of the tasktrigger area 484 at the time of paper-out, toner-out, document readingand facsimile transmission, as well as the control structures of theprograms realizing such displays will be described.

<<Paper-Out>>

Referring to FIG. 6, when paper-out occurs, the display of task triggerarea 484 changes in the following manner. Referring to the left side ofFIG. 6, generally, on task trigger area 484, a read start key 600, aclear-all key 602, a monochrome copy start key 604 for activating aprocess for forming an image using black toner, and a color copy startkey 606 for activating a process for forming an image using color tonerare displayed. These are displayed at positions different from eachother and not overlapping with each other. It is noted that before thestart of reading, clear-all key 602 is not usable and, therefore, it isgrayed out.

If the user wants to make some output on a sheet of paper (typically, ifthe user is to execute a copy process) and necessary paper is notdetected on paper cassette 240, a paper-out key 608, which represents amessage asking loading of paper, is displayed at such a position and insuch a shape that cover monochrome copy start key 604 and color copystart key 606, as shown at the center of Fig, 6. While paper-out key 608is displayed, the user cannot operate monochrome copy start key 604 andcolor copy start key 606. When the user loads the paper, paper-out key608 disappears as shown on the right side of FIG. 6, and monochrome copystart key 604 and color copy start key 606 are displayed. The user canstart a copy process by operating these keys.

<<Program Structure Realizing Paper-Out Process>>

FIG. 7 shows, in the form of a flowchart, a control structure of theprogram for realizing the display shown in FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 7,the program is periodically executed, and if the user operationrepresents a process requiring output to a sheet of paper, the result ofthe program is displayed. By way of example, on the basic screen imageof copy process, the result of execution of the program is displayed,First, at step 540, whether or not paper cassette 240 contains papernecessary for the output is determined. If the determination ispositive, the control proceeds to step 542, at which read start key 600is activated, clear-all key 602 is inactivated, and monochrome copystart key 604 and color copy start key 606 are activated. If paper-outkey 608 has been displayed, paper-out key 608 is erased. After step 542,execution of the program is terminated, and the control returns to amain routine. If the determination at step 540 is negative, the controlproceeds to step 544. At step 544, read start key 600 and clear-all key602 are activated, and monochrome copy start key 604 and color copystart key 606 are inactivated. Further, paper-out key 608 is displayedat the same position as, and being superposed on monochrome copy startkey 604 and color copy start key 606, After step 544, execution of theprogram is terminated, and the control returns to the main routine.

Therefore, once paper-out key 608 is displayed, monochrome copy startkey 604 and color copy start key 606 are not displayed and the copyprocess cannot be started, unless the paper is loaded to paper cassette240 or the user changes setting.

<<Toner-Out>>

In an image forming apparatus, if toner-out occurs, image formation on asheet of recording paper becomes impossible. FIG. 8 shows the manner ofdisplay of task trigger area 484 when toner-out occurred.

The upper left portion of FIG. 8 shows a normal manner of display oftask trigger area 484. Here, if black-toner-out is detected, the displaychanges to the one shown on the upper right side of FIG. 8. Referring tothe upper right side of FIG. 8, here, a black-toner-out key 620 as amessage asking replenishment of black toner, is displayed at the sameposition being superposed on monochrome copy start key 604 and colorcopy start key 606. In this example, black-toner-out key 620 issemi-transparent, so that monochrome copy start key 604 and color copystart key 606 can be seen through this key. As long as black-toner-outkey 620 is displayed, neither monochrome copy start key 604 nor colorcopy start key 606 can be operated.

If color-toner-out is detected while task trigger area 484 is in thestate shown on the upper left side of FIG. 8, the display changes to thestate shown on the lower left side of FIG. 8. In this state, though thecolor toner is in short supply, black toner is sufficient. Namely,though color copy is impossible, monochrome copy can be taken.Therefore, a color-toner-out key 622 as a message asking replenishmentof color toner is displayed at the same position and in the same size ascolor copy start key 606, The display of monochrome copy start key iskept unchanged. Since color-toner-out key 622 is semi-transparent, colorcopy start key 606 can be seen therebelow. However, color copy start key606 cannot be operated. Though monochrome copy can be started byoperating monochrome copy start key 604, color copy cannot be madeunless the color toner is replenished.

If it is detected that both black toner and color toner are out, thedisplay of task trigger area 484 changes to the state as shown on thelower right side of FIG. 8. Specifically, black-toner-out key 624 isdisplayed on monochrome copy start key 604, and color-toner-out key 622is displayed on color copy start key 606. Neither of monochrome copystart key 604 and color copy start key 606 can be operated, and copyingis impossible.

From any of the states shown on the upper right side, lower left sideand lower right side of FIG. 8, the display of task trigger area 484returns to the state shown on the upper left side of FIG. 8 if the toneris replenished.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a program realizing the display of task triggerarea 484 shown in FIG. 8. The program is periodically executed by atimer. By way of example, this program is executed at the interval of 1sec. The result is reflected on task trigger area 484 on, for example,the basic screen image of a process (copy process) that uses the toner.

The program starts at step 560. At step 560, whether or not the blacktoner is sufficient is determined. If the determination is positive, thecontrol proceeds to step 562, and if it is negative, the controlproceeds to step 568.

At step 562, whether or not the color toner is sufficient is determined.If the determination is positive, the control proceeds to step 566, andif it is negative, the control proceeds to step 564.

At step 566, read start key 600 is activated. Clear-all key 602 isdisplayed in accordance with the situation at that time. Specifically,if any setting has been made, clear-all key 602 is activated, and if nosetting has been made, clear-all key 602 is inactivated. Both monochromecopy start key 604 and color copy start key 606 are activated.Black-toner-out key 624, color-toner-out key 626 and black-toner-out key620 are all erased. As a result, the display shown on the upper leftside of FIG. 8 is realized. After step 566, execution of the programends, and the control returns to the main routine.

On the other hand, at step 564, read start key 600 is activated.Clear-all key 602 is activated or inactivated in accordance with thesituation. Monochrome copy start key 604 is activated. Color copy startkey 606 is inactivated. Black-toner-out key 624 and black-toner-out key620 are erased, and color-toner-out key 622 is displayed. As a result,the display shown on the lower left side of FIG. 8 is realized. Afterstep 564, execution of the program ends, and the control returns to themain routine.

If the determination at step 560 is negative, at step 568, whether ornot the color toner is sufficient is determined. If the determination ispositive, the control proceeds to step 570, and if it is negative, thecontrol proceeds to step 572.

At step 570, read start key 600 is activated, and clear-all key 602 isactivated or inactivated in accordance with the situation. Monochromecopy start key 604 and color copy start key 606 are both inactivated.Black-toner-out key 620 is displayed. Black-toner-out key 624 andcolor-toner-out key 622 are erased. As a result, the display shown onthe upper right side of FIG. 8 is realized. After step 570, execution ofthe program ends, and the control returns to the main program.

If the determination at step 568 is negative, at step 572, read startkey 600 is activated, and clear-all key 602 is activated or inactivateddepending on presence/absence of any setting. Monochrome copy start key604 and color copy start key 606 are both inactivated, andblack-toner-out key 624 and color-toner-out key 622 are both displayed.As a result, the display of task trigger area 484 becomes as shown onthe lower right side of FIG. 8. After step 572, execution of the programends, and the control returns to the main routine.

<<Document Reading Process>>

Referring to FIG. 10, at the time of document reading, the display oftask trigger area 484 changes in the following manner. Referring to theleft side of FIG. 10, on task trigger area 484, read start key 600,clear-all key 602, monochrome copy start key 604 and color copy startkey 606 are displayed as described above.

Assume, for example, that the user pressed read start key 600 forreading a document. During reading, task trigger area 484 changes to thestate shown at the center of FIG. 10. Specifically, a read stop key 610is displayed being superposed on read start key 600. Read stop key 610and read start key 600 are displayed at the same position in the samesize and same shape. The function of read stop key is to stop thereading process started by the operation of read start key 600. Readstop key 610 is displayed at the same position and in the same displaymanner as read start key 600. Specifically, read stop key 610 isdisplayed over read start key 600. In other words, read start key 600 isdisplayed on a lower layer of read stop key 610. The same applies toother keys. Any key is disabled, that is, made inoperable, if anotherkey is displayed on its upper layer.

Further, when the reading ends, in place of read stop key 610, anadditional read key 612 is displayed at the same position and in thesame size as read stop key 610, as shown on the right side of FIG. 10.The function of additional read key 612 is to read a document image inaddition to the document read immediately before, and to save the imagesas continuous document images. This function may be regarded as afunction of resuming the process of which execution is started bypressing read start key 600, once the process is completed. Thesefunctions are similar to each other. Therefore, additional read key 612is displayed at the same position as read start key 600.

<<Program Structure Realizing Document Reading Process>>

The display transition of task trigger area 484 described above isrealized by a program executed by a CPU, not shown, in UI control device180 of display 130 shown in FIG. 4. In the following, a controlstructure of a program for document reading will be described as anexample of such a program, with reference to FIG. 11. The programrepresents the display transition such as shown in FIG. 10. The programstarts when the user operates read start key 600 in task trigger area484 (see FIG. 10). Before this operation, the display of task triggerarea 484 is as shown on the left side of FIG. 10.

Referring to FIG. 11, the program includes step 700 of detecting adocument in a tray of a document reading device, and a step 702 executedif the detection of any document failed, of requesting the user to placea document on the tray and to return the control to step 700.

If any document is detected at step 700, the control proceeds to step704. At step 704, read stop key 610 is displayed in place of read startkey 600, as shown at the center of FIG. 10. Read stop key 610 isdisplayed at the same position, in the same shape and in the same sizeas read start key 600. Further, at step 704, the display of clear-allkey 602 is changed from grayed-out state to the normal display,indicating that clear-all key is active. Monochrome copy start key 604and color copy start key 606 are displayed as in the inactive state.

Thereafter, at step 706, reading of one page of the document isexecuted. At this time, UI control device 180 sends a signal indicatingthat reading of document has been instructed, to CPU 300. In response tothe signal, CPU 300 operates document reading unit 102, to start readingof the document. At step 708, the read image is stored in HDD 302 shownin FIG. 3.

Thereafter, whether or not an operation to stop reading has been made isdetermined at step 710. Specifically, whether read stop key 610 shown atthe center of FIG. 10 has been pressed or not is determined. If thedetermination is positive, the control proceeds to step 718. At step718, a document reading interruption process takes place, and thecontrol returns to step 700. The document reading interruption processis a process to have the overall condition of image forming apparatus100 returned to the state immediately before the instruction of documentreading (or additional reading of document) was made the last time.

If the determination at step 710 is negative, the control proceeds tostep 712. At step 712, whether or not clear-all key 602 has beenoperated is determined, If the determination is positive, the controlproceeds to step 720. At step 720, a document reading clearing processis executed. The document reading clearing process refers to a processin which not only the read document data but also settings are allcleared. Thereafter, the control returns to step 700.

If the determination at step 712 is negative, the control proceeds tostep 714, At step 714, whether or not the read page is the last page isdetermined. If the determination at step 714 is negative, the controlreturns to step 706. If the determination at step 714 is positive, thecontrol proceeds to step 716.

At step 716, the display transition from the center to the right side ofFIG. 10 takes place. In place of read stop key 610, additional read key612 is displayed at the same position, in the same size and in the samemanner of display. Clear-all key 602, monochrome copy start key 604 andcolor copy start key 606 are all active. Thereafter, the controlproceeds to step 722 shown in FIG. 14.

At step 722, whether or not color copy start key 606 has been operatedis determined. If the determination is positive, the control proceeds tostep 724. If the determination is negative, the control proceeds to step730.

At step 724, additional read key 612 becomes inactive, and grayed-out,Clear-all key 602 remains active. In place of monochrome copy start key604 and color copy start key 606, the copy stop key is displayed to besuperposed on these keys (not shown in FIG. 10). Thereafter, at step726, the process of outputting the document read by that time in coloris executed, Finally, the process of returning the display of tasktrigger area 484 to the left side of FIG. 10 is executed at step 728,and the process ends, Specifically, at step 728, read start key 600 isactivated, clear-all key 602 is inactivated, both monochrome copy startkey 604 and color copy start key 606 are activated, and the copy stopkey is erased.

On the other hand, if the determination at step 722 is negative, at step730, whether or not monochrome copy start key 604 has been operated isdetermined. If the determination is positive, the control proceeds tostep 732. If the determination is negative, the control proceeds to step736.

At step 732, as at step 724, additional read key 612 is inactivated,clear-all key 602 is activated, and in place of monochrome copy startkey 604 and color copy start key 606, the copy stop key is displayed.Thereafter, at step 734, the process of outputting document images thathave been read and stored by that time in black and white is executed.Thereafter, the control proceeds to step 728 described above.

If the determination at step 730 is negative, at step 736, whether ornot additional read key 612 has been operated is determined. If thedetermination is positive, the control proceeds to step 738. If thedetermination is negative, the control proceeds to step 740.

At step 738, the read stop key is displayed at the same position asadditional read key 612. Clear-all key 602 is activated. Monochrome copystart key 604 and color copy start key 606 are both activated.Thereafter, the control proceeds to step 706 of FIG. 1.

If the determination at step 736 is negative, whether or not clear-allkey 602 has been operated is determined at step 740. If thedetermination is positive, the control proceeds to step 742. If thedetermination is negative, the control returns to step 722.

At step 742, all document image data read by that time are cleared, andthe control proceeds to step 728.

<<Copy Process>>

The display transition of task trigger area 484 at the time of copyprocess is as follows. Referring to FIG. 13, at the start of copying, ontask trigger area 484, read start key 600, clear-all key 602, monochromecopy start key 604 and color copy start key 606 are displayed. Here, ifthe user operates monochrome copy start key 604, in place of monochromecopy start key 604 and color copy start key 606 (being superposed onthese keys), copy stop key 630 is displayed. When the copying iscomplete, in place of additional monochrome copy start key 632 andadditional color copy start key 634 shown in FIG. 13, an additional copykey 640 is displayed at the same position and in the same shape as copystop key 630. Here, if additional copy key 640 is pressed, additionalcopying is executed in the same copy mode as the copy mode of theinitially pressed key (monochrome copy start key 604 or color copy startkey 606).

<<Program Structure Realizing Copy Process>>

The control structure of a program for copying a document withoutstoring the read document such as shown in FIG. 13 will be describedwith reference to FIG. 14. Initially, task trigger area 484 is in such astate as shown on the left side of FIGS. 13.

Referring to FIG. 14, the program starts when the user pressesmonochrome copy start key 604 or color copy start key 606 shown in FIG.13. First, at step 750, whether or not there is any document in the trayportion of document reading unit is detected. If any document isdetected, the control proceeds to step 754, and if not, the controlproceeds to step 752. At step 752, a message asking the user to place adocument on the tray is displayed, and the control returns to step 750.

At step 754, the display of task trigger area makes a transition to sucha state as shown at the center of FIG. 13. Specifically, read start key600 becomes inactive and grayed-out. Clear-all key 602 becomes active.Monochrome copy start key 604 and color copy start key 606 becomeinvisible on the screen image, while copy stop key 630 is displayed at aposition and in a size being superposed on these keys. Thereafter, thecontrol proceeds to step 756. At step 756, reading of one page of thedocument is executed. At step 758, the read image is output on a sheetof recording paper. If execution of the program has been started bypressing monochrome copy start key 604, the image formed at step 758 isa black-and-white image. If execution of the program has been started bypressing color copy start key 606, the image formed at step 758 is acolor image.

Thereafter, at step 760, whether or not an operation to stop copying hasbeen made is determined. Specifically, whether or not copy stop key 630displayed at the center of FIG. 13 has been pressed is determined. Ifthe determination is positive, the control proceeds to step 770. At step770, the document reading interruption process takes place, and then thecontrol returns to step 700.

If the determination at step 760 is negative, the control proceeds tostep 762. At step 762, whether or not clear-all key 602 is operated isdetermined.

If the determination at step 762 is positive, the control proceeds tostep 768. At step 768, settings are all cleared, read start key 600 isactivated, and clear-all key 602 is inactivated. Monochrome copy startkey 604 and color copy start key 606 are both activated. If copy stopkey 630 and additional copy key 640 should have been displayed, theseare erased. Thereafter, execution of the program ends, and the controlreturns to the main routine.

If the determination at step 762 is negative, the control proceeds tostep 764. At step 764, whether or not the copied page is the last pageis determined. If the determination is negative, the control returns tostep 756. If the determination at step 764 is positive, the controlproceeds to step 766.

At step 766, read start key 600 that has been inactivated is activated,and clear-all key 602 is also activated. Copy stop key 630 is erased,and additional copy key 640 is displayed to be superposed on monochromecopy start key 604 and color copy start key 606 in a manner of displaysimilar to those keys. After step 768, execution of the program ends,and the control returns to the main routine.

<<Facsimile Transmission>>

FIG. 15 illustrates display transition of task trigger area 484 at thetime of facsimile transmission. Referring to the lower left side of FIG.15, at the start of facsimile transmission, on task trigger area 484,read start key 600, clear-all key 602 and transmission start key 650 aredisplayed. As in FIG. 10, clear-all key 602 is grayed-out.

When the user operates transmission start key 650, facsimiletransmission starts. Before actually starting transmission, whether ornot a valid destination has been input is determined. If a validdestination is not input, the display on task trigger area 484 changesto the state shown on the upper left side of FIG. 15. Specifically, inplace of transmission start key 650, a destination input key 652 as amessage asking input of an appropriate destination is displayed at thesame position, in the same shape and in the same size as transmissionstart key 650. Transmission start key 650 is inactivated. Therefore,facsimile transmission temporarily becomes impossible.

When the user inputs a valid destination, destination input key iserased, and transmission start key 650 is activated as shown on thelower left side of FIG. 15.

Assume that a valid destination has been designated and the user pressestransmission start key 650. As shown at the center of FIG. 15, readstart key becomes inoperable and grayed-out. Transmission start key 650is inactivated, and in place of transmission start key 650, atransmission stop key 654 is displayed, at the same position in the sameshape. Transmission stop key 654 is to stop facsimile transmission, andthis is a function opposite to the function of transmission start key650. Therefore, in the present embodiment, transmission stop key 654 isdisplayed in the display manner similar to that of transmission startkey 650.

When facsimile transmission ends, read start key 600 again becomesoperable, as shown on the lower right side of FIG. 15. Transmission stopkey 654 is erased, and in place of transmission stop key 654, anadditional transmission key 656 is displayed at the same position and inthe same shape. Additional transmission key 656 is a key to be operatedwhen additional document is to be transmitted to the same destination asthe immediately preceding facsimile transmission. Namely, the functionof additional transmission key 656 is different from but similar to thefunction of transmission start key 650. Therefore, in the presentembodiment, additional transmission key 656 is displayed in the displaymanner similar to that of transmission start key 650.

<<Program Structure Realizing Facsimile Transmission Process>>

Referring to FIG. 16, the program realizing the display transition oftask trigger area 484 in facsimile transmission shown in FIG. 15 has thefollowing control structure. First, whether or not the transmissionstart key has been pressed is determined (step 900). If thedetermination is negative, at step 920, a transmission condition settingprocess is executed, and thereafter, step 900 is repeated.

If the determination at step 900 is positive, at step 902 whether or nota valid destination has been set is determined. If the determination ispositive, the control proceeds to step 904, and if it is negative, thecontrol proceeds to step 922.

At step 922, task trigger area 484 makes a transition from the state onthe lower left to the upper left side of FIG. 15. Specifically, readstart key 600 is activated. Clear-all key 602 is also activated. Inplace of transmission start key 650, destination input key is displayedat the same position in the same size. Thereafter, at step 924,destination is set by the user. At step 926, whether or not a validdestination has been input is determined, and steps 924 and 926 arerepeated until a valid destination is input. If a valid destination isinput, at step 928, destination input key is erased, and transmissionstart key 650 is displayed. Thus, task trigger area 484 is displayed inthe manner as shown on the lower left side of FIG. 15. Thereafter, thecontrol returns to step 900.

On the other hand, if the determination at step 902 is positive, at step903, read start key 600 is inactivated. Clear-all key 602 is activated.Transmission stop key 654 is displayed being superposed on transmissionstart key, at the same position and in the same size. Thereafter, atstep 904, reading of the document to be transmitted starts. The readimage is facsimile-transmitted at step 906 to the transmissiondestination. At the following step 908, whether or not transmission stopkey 654 has been operated is determined. If the determination ispositive, the control proceeds to step 916, and otherwise, the controlproceeds to step 910.

At step 916, the read interruption process is executed, and execution ofthe program ends.

At step 910, whether or not clear-all key 602 has been operated isdetermined. If the determination is positive, the control proceeds tostep 918, and otherwise, the control proceeds to step 912.

At step 918, a read clearing process is executed, and execution of theprogram ends.

On the other hand, at step 912, whether or not the image read at step904 is the last document image is determined. If the determination ispositive, the control proceeds to step 914, and otherwise, the controlproceeds to step 904, at which reading of the next document is executed.At step 914, read start key is activated. Clear-all key 602 isactivated. Transmission stop key 654 is erased, and in place of thiskey, additional transmission key 656 is displayed at the same positionand in the same size as transmission stop key 654, and execution of theprogram ends.

[Operation]

Image forming apparatus 100 operates in the following manner. In thefollowing, only the portions related to the display transition of tasktrigger area 484 will be described.

<<Document Reading>>

Referring to FIG. 10, on task trigger area 484, read start key 600,clear-all key 602, monochrome copy start key 604 and color copy startkey 606 are displayed. Of these, clear-all key 602 is inactive andgrayed-out.

Assume that the user places a document on a document tray of documentreading unit 102 and presses read start key 600. Execution of theprogram shown in FIG. 11 starts. The determination at step 700 ispositive. At step 704, read stop key 610 is displayed in place of readstart key 600, and clear-all key 602 is activated. Monochrome copy startkey 604 and color copy start key 606 are kept unchanged. Read stop key610 is displayed in a display manner similar to read start key 600.Since read stop key 610 is displayed in place of read start key 600 inthe similar display manner as read start key 600 as described above, itis possible for the user to easily understand that the function of readstop key 610 relates to the function of read start key 600. Therefore,if the user wishes to stop reading of the document by some reason, theuser can immediately execute the stopping operation.

At step 706, an image of one page of the document is read, and at step708, it is stored in HDD 302. If the user does not operate read stop key610 or clear-all key 602, the process of steps 706, 708, 710, 712 and714 are repeated until the last page. When all pages of the document areread, determination at step 714 becomes positive. At step 716,additional read key 612 is displayed, in place of read stop key 610.Clear-all key 602, monochrome copy start key 604 and color copy startkey 606 are activated. Additional read key 612 is displayed in the samedisplay manner as read start key 600. Therefore, it is possible for theuser to easily understand that the function of additional read key 612is related to the function of read start key 600. If additional readingis desired, the user can take necessary process step (operation ofadditional read key) immediately.

Thereafter, if the user operates additional read key 612, through thepath of steps 722, 730 and 736 shown in Fig, 14, at step 738, read stopkey 610 is displayed in place of additional read key 612. Clear-all key602 is activated. Monochrome copy start key 604 and color copy start key606 are also activated. As a result, the overall display of task triggerarea 484 is as shown at the center of FIG. 10.

Monochrome Printing

By the time a series of document reading operations has been completed,the display of task trigger area 484 is in the state shown on the rightside of FIG. 10 (step 716 of Fig, 11). Assume that the user pressesmonochrome copy start key 604 here. Then, through steps 722 and 730 ofFIG. 12, additional read key 612 is inactivated at step 732. Clear-allkey 602 is activated. In place of monochrome copy start key 604 andcolor copy start key 606, copy stop key 630, which is the same as thatshown at the center of FIG. 13, is displayed. Monochrome copy start key604 and color copy start key 606 are not displayed on the screen image.Thereafter, at step 734, the process for outputting the document imagesread by that time in black and white is executed. Further, at step 728,read start key 600 is displayed, clear-all key is activated, andmonochrome copy start key 604 and color copy start key 606 areactivated. As a result, the display of task trigger area 484 returns tothe state shown on the left side of FIG. 10. Copy stop key 630, which isthe same as that shown at the center of FIG. 13, is displayed at thesame position as monochrome copy start key 604 and color copy start key606, to be superposed thereon. Therefore, if it becomes necessary tostop output, the user can immediately take a necessary process step(operation of copy stop key 630) for that purpose.

Color Printing

On the other hand, by the time a series of document reading operationshas been completed, the display of task trigger area 484 is in the stateshown on the right side of FIG. 10 (step 716 of FIG. 11), assume thatthe user presses color copy start key 606. Then, the control proceedsfrom step 722 to step 724 of FIG. 12. At step 724, additional read key612 is inactivated. Clear-all key 602 is activated. In place ofmonochrome copy start key 604 and color copy start key 606, copy stopkey 630, which is the same as that shown at the center of FIG. 13, isdisplayed. Therefore, as in the case where monochrome copy start key 604is pressed, if it becomes necessary to stop output, the user canimmediately take a necessary process step (operation of copy stop key630) for that purpose.

In the document reading process, when monochrome copy start key 604 orcolor copy start key 606 is operated, the display of task trigger area484 returns to the state shown on the left side of FIG. 10.Specifically, if clear-all key 602 is operated, monochrome copy startkey 604 is operated or color copy start key 606 is operated, additionalread key 612 that has been displayed on task trigger area 484 is erased,and read start key 600 is displayed. On the contrary, if these keys arenot operated, additional read key 612 is not erased. Here, these keysmay be regarded as keys for cancelling the state that allows additionalreading. Such an approach is also advantageous in that user confusioncaused by sudden disappearance of additional read key can be prevented.

<<Copy Process>>

The transition of task trigger area 484 during the copy process is asshown in FIG. 13. In the copy initial screen image, task trigger area484 is in the state shown on the left side of FIG. 13. Here, assume thatthe user places a document on a tray of document reading unit 102. Atthis time point, the program having the control structure shown in FIG.7 is executed. If necessary paper is not loaded in paper cassette 240(NO at step 540), task trigger area 484 makes a transition to the sateshown at the center of FIG. 6, by the process of step 544. Paper-outhinders image formation. Therefore, the copy process cannot be started.Since paper-out key 608 is displayed at the same position as monochromecopy start key 604 and color copy start key 606, the user canimmediately recognize that loading of paper is necessary. When the userloads paper, the determination at step 540 of FIG. 7 becomes positive,and the process of step 542 is executed. As a result, the display oftask trigger area 484 returns to the state shown on the right side ofFIG. 6, and if the toner is not in short supply, copying becomespossible.

If the toner is out, the program having the control structure shown inFIG. 9 is executed.

Referring to FIG. 9, if black toner and color toner are both out, thedisplay of task trigger area 484 such as shown on the lower right sideof FIG. 8 is realized through the path of steps 560, 568 and 572. Sinceblack-toner-out key 624 and color-toner-out key 622 are displayed at thesame position and in the same size as monochrome copy start key 604 andcolor copy start key 606, it is possible for the user to immediatelyunderstand that replenishment of black toner and color toner isnecessary.

If black toner is out but color toner is available, the display shown onthe upper right side of FIG. 8 is realized through the path of steps560, 568 and 670 of FIG. 9. Here, black-toner-out key 620 is displayedat the same position as monochrome copy start key 604 and color copystart key 606 in a size covering these keys. Therefore, it is possiblefor the user to immediately understand that replenishment of black toneris necessary.

If color toner is out but black toner is available, the display of tasktrigger area shown on the lower left side of FIG. 8 is realized throughthe path of steps 560, 562 and 564 of FIG. 9. In place of color copystart key 606, color-toner-out key 622 is displayed at the sameposition, in the same size and in the same shape. Therefore, it ispossible for the user to immediately understand that replenishment ofcolor toner is necessary.

If black toner and color toner are both available, the display of tasktrigger area 484 shown on the upper left side of FIG. 8 is realizedthrough the path of steps 560, 562 and 566 of FIG. 9. Since monochromecopy start key 604 and color copy start key 606 are both displayed, itis possible for the user to easily understand that both copyingoperations can be executed.

If copying is possible, here, the user operates monochrome copy startkey 604 or color copy start key 606. Then, the display of task triggerarea 484 changes to the state shown at the center of FIG. 13.Specifically, copy stop key 630 is displayed at the same position asmonochrome copy start key 604 or color copy start key 606 and beingsuperposed on these keys (steps 750 and 754 of FIG. 14). Therefore, ifit becomes necessary to stop copying by some reason, the user canreadily understand that he/she should press copy stop key 630, and theoperation can immediately be stopped. When the user operates copy stopkey 630, the determination of step 760 of FIG. 14 becomes YES, and thecopy stopping operation is executed at step 770. The same applies whenclear-all key 602 is operated (steps 762 and 764). It is noted, however,that if clear-all key 602 is operated, all settings of image formingapparatus 100 are cleared.

If copy stop key 630 is not operated, the process of steps 756, 758, 760and 762 of FIG. 14 is repeated for the number of times corresponding tothe number of pages of the document. When the image of last page of thedocument is read, the determination at step 764 becomes positive, andthe control proceeds to step 766. At step 766, read start key 600 isactivated. Clear-all key 602 is also activated. In place of read stopkey 610 shown at the center of FIG. 13, additional copy key 640 shown onthe right side of FIG. 13 is displayed. As a result, the state of tasktrigger area 484 is changed to the state shown on the right side of FIG.13.

Referring to the right side of FIG. 13, additional copy key 640 isdisplayed approximately at the same position as the area of monochromecopy start key 604 or color copy start key 606, to cover these keys.Therefore, if an additional copy is necessary, the user can immediatelyexecute the necessary process (operation of additional copy key 640).

<<Facsimile Transmission>>

In facsimile transmission, the initial state of task trigger area 484 isas shown on the lower left side of FIG. 15. Assume that the user placesa document on image forming apparatus 100 and operates transmissionstart key 650. If a valid destination is not set (NO at step 902 of FIG.16), the display of task trigger area 484 changes to that shown on theupper left side of FIG. 15 (step 922). In place of transmission startkey 650, destination input key 652 is displayed at the same position andin the same size. Therefore, the user can easily understand that thedestination should be input. When the user inputs a valid destination(YES at step 926), the display of task trigger area 484 returns to thestate shown on the lower left side of FIG. 15 (step 928).

Here, when the user presses transmission start key 650, thedeterminations at steps 900 and 902 of FIG. 16 become YES, and theprocess of steps 904 to 912 is executed. Transmission stop key 654 isdisplayed at the same position and in the same size as transmissionstart key 650 (step 903) and, therefore, if it becomes necessary to stopfacsimile transmission by some reason, the user can immediately operatetransmission stop key 654.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus 100 in accordancewith the present embodiment, when a key (button) issuing an instructionto start any process is operated, another key instructing anotherprocess related to but different from the started process (such asinterruption or stopping of the started process) is displayed at thesame position as the key (button). The said another key is displayed inuniform manner in the same color (for example, in red). As a result, theuser can immediately make a necessary operation related to the processhe/she has instructed to start. If the process instructed to be startedcannot be executed by some reason, a message related to the cause orsolution is displayed at the same position in substantially the samedisplay manner (color, shape, design etc.) as the key (button) forgiving the instruction. The message displayed at this time (toner-out,paper-out, destination not input) is displayed in a uniform manner inthe same color (for example, in orange). As a result, necessary processcan be done before starting the intended process, and thus, smoothprocessing can be realized.

In the embodiment above, an example has been described in whichpaper-out is displayed in task trigger area 484. The event to bedisplayed on task trigger area 484 is not limited to the above. By wayof example, a similar display may be realized for paper jam duringcopying.

In the embodiment above, on monochrome copy start key 604 and color copystart key 606, black-toner-out key 624 and color-toner-out key 622 andthe like are displayed. Further, black-toner-out key 624 andcolor-toner-out key 622 are semi-transparent and, therefore, the usercan recognize over which keys these keys are displayed. The presentinvention, however, is not limited to such an embodiment, andblack-toner-out key 624 and color-toner-out key 622 may benon-transparent.

In the embodiment above, by way of example, if the black toner is outand color toner is available, copying is impossible. Black, however, canbe represented by the color toner and, therefore, color copy start key606 may be active even if the black toner is out.

In the embodiment above, software keys have been described as examples.The present invention, however, is not limited to such an embodiment,and it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present inventionis generally applicable to any UI component that can be used as atrigger of a process.

The embodiments as have been described here are mere examples and shouldnot be interpreted as restrictive, The scope of the present invention isdetermined by each of the claims with appropriate consideration of thewritten description of the embodiments and embraces modifications withinthe meaning of, and equivalent to, the languages in the claims.

1. A display operation device, comprising: a display-integratedoperation panel having a display screen; a first UI component displaydevice displaying a first user interface (UI) component image on saiddisplay screen; a process activating device, responsive to a useroperation of said first UI component displayed on said display screen bysaid first UI component display device, for activating a processassociated with the first UI component; and a second UI componentdisplay device, responsive to occurrence of a predetermined conditionrelated to the process activated in association with said first UIcomponent by said process activating device, for displaying a second UIcomponent on said display screen; wherein said second UI component isdisplayed at a position of display of said first UI component, to coversaid first UI component.
 2. The display operation device according toclaim 1, wherein said second UI component display device includes adevice responsive to activation of a process associated with said firstUI component by said process activating device, for displaying saidsecond UI component at the position of said first UI component on saiddisplay screen; said operation display device further comprisingstopping device, responsive to a user operation of said second UIcomponent, for stopping execution of the process activated by saidprocess activating device.
 3. The display operation device according toclaim 1, wherein said second UI component display device includes adisabling device, detecting occurrence of an event hindering the processto be activated by said process activating device, for displaying saidsecond UI component at the same position as said first UI component, tobe superposed on said first UI component, and thereby for disabling useroperation of said first UI component.
 4. The display operation deviceaccording to claim 3, mounted on an image processing apparatus involvingtoner use, wherein said first UI component is a device for displaying animage formation start key for activating a process for forming an imageusing the toner; and said disabling device includes a toner-outdetecting device detecting shortage of toner to be used for imageformation by said image forming apparatus, and a replenishment messagedisplay device, responsive to detection of toner-out by said toner-outdetecting device, for displaying a message asking replenishment oftoner, as said second UI component.
 5. The display operation deviceaccording to claim 4, wherein said toner-out detecting device includes adevice for separately detecting black-toner-out and color-toner-out; andsaid replenishment message display device includes a toner-by-tonermessage display device, responsive to detection of one of or both ofblack-toner-out and color-toner-out by said toner-out detecting device,for displaying a message asking replenishment of black toner,replenishment of color toner or replenishment of black toner and colortoner, as said second UI component.
 6. The display operation deviceaccording to claim 5, wherein said first UI component includes a firstkey instructing start of image formation using black toner, and a secondkey instructing start of image formation using color toner; and saidtoner-by-toner message display device displays a key including themessage asking replenishment of toner, on said first key ifblack-toner-out is detected and on said second key if color-toner-out isdetected.
 7. The display operation device according to claim 3, mountedon an image processing apparatus involving use of a recording medium,wherein said first UI component display device is a device fordisplaying an image formation start key for activating a process forimage formation on the recording medium; and said disabling deviceincludes a trouble detecting device detecting a trouble occurring inrelation to supply of the recording medium of said image processingapparatus, and a trouble-solution message display device, responsive todetection of a trouble by said trouble detecting device, for displayinga message asking a solution to the problem, as said second UI component.8. The display operation device according to claim 7, wherein said imageformation start key includes first and second keys for instructing imageformation using black toner and color toner, respectively, on therecording medium; and said second UI component is displayed to coverboth said first and second keys.
 9. The display operation deviceaccording to claim 3, mounted on an image processing apparatustransmitting image data through a communication device, wherein saidfirst UI component display device is a device for displaying an imagetransmission start button for activating a process for transmitting animage to a designated destination; and said disabling device includes atrouble detecting device for detecting failure of designating anappropriate destination when an image is to be transmitted by said imageprocessing apparatus, and a destination input message display device,responsive to detection of a trouble by said trouble detecting device,for displaying a message asking input of an appropriate destination ofthe image, as said second UI component, superposed on said imagetransmission start key.
 10. The display operation device according toclaim 1, wherein said first UI component includes a plurality ofcomponents; and said second UI component is displayed in a colordifferent from said first UI components, and displayed in the same colorno matter on which of said first UI components the second UI componentis displayed.
 11. The display operation device according to claim 1,wherein outline form of said second UI component matches outline form ofsaid first UI component.
 12. The display operation device according toclaim 1, wherein said second UI component is displayed in a transparentmanner to allow recognition of a key displayed on a lower layer of saidsecond UI component.
 13. The display operation device according to claim1, further comprising a disabling device, detecting occurrence of anevent hindering the process to be activated by said process activatingdevice, for displaying a third UI component at the same position as saidfirst UI component, to be superposed on said first UI component, andthereby for disabling user operation of said first UI component.
 14. Thedisplay operation device according to claim 13, wherein said second UIcomponent is displayed in a first color, and said third UI component isdisplayed in a second color different from said first color.
 15. Thedisplay operation device according to claim 13, wherein said first UIcomponent includes a plurality of components; said second UI componentis displayed in a first display color no matter on which of saidplurality of first UI components the second UI component is displayed;and said third UI component is displayed in the second color differentfrom said first color, no matter on which of said plurality of first UIcomponents the third UI component is displayed,
 16. An image processingapparatus, comprising: the display operation device according to claim1; an image forming device forming image data; and an image processingunit, connected to said display operation device and said image formingdevice, for processing the image data formed by said image formingdevice, based on an output instruction from said display operationdevice.
 17. A method of receiving a user operation using adisplay-integrated operation panel having a display screen, comprisingthe steps of: displaying an image of a first UI component on saiddisplay screen; activating, in response to a user operation of saidfirst UI component displayed on said display screen at said step ofdisplaying the image of said first UI component, a process associatedwith said first UI component; and displaying, in response to occurrenceof a predetermined condition related to the process activated at saidstep of activating a process, a second UI component on said displayscreen; wherein said second UI component is displayed at a displayposition of said first UI component to cover said first UI component.